Apparatus for mounting rubber sleeves on inner core barrel tubes



July 6, 1965 B. L. AUSTIN vErm. 3,192,616

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING RUBBER SLEEVES ON INNER CORE BARREL TUBES Filed May 16, 1960 l Sheets-Sheet 1 l Q 5% a Q July 6, 1955 B. l.. AUSTIN ETAL. 3,192,515

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING RUBBER SLEEVES ON INNER CORE BARREL TUBES Filed May 16, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 [lr/Gd 3a I/G; 4c

5g i :2 2: I' 70 FI/6' I; a 6.o

la IN V EN TORS` /5 ,BEM/@Mw L. Hasn/v ZJ/ESH/ Mael July 6, 1965y B1. L. AUSTIN ETAL 3,192,616

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING RUBBER SLEEVS ON INNER CORE BARREL TUBES Filed May 16, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 ig. IN V EN TORS.

L 75 rroesy.

July 6, 1965 B. L. AUSTIN ETAL. 3,192,616

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING RUBBER SLEEVES ON INNER CORE BARREL TUBES Filed May 1e, 1960 4 sheets-sheet 4 JNVENToRs. E/vJM/A/ L. ,4l/57W ZWESH/ M02/ 3y E; 7'7'0 NEY.

United States Patent l present invention rela-tes to core barrels for securing cores from formations in well bores, and more particularly to apparatus for mounting a sleeve of rubber, or similar material, on a tubular member, the rubber sleeve being adapted to receive and retain a core in the well bore as it is being formed.

As shown in the application of Benjamin L.' Austin, Serial No. 807,635, filed April 20, 1959, now Patent No. 3,912,622, for Core Barrel Apparatus, a rubber or rubber-like sleeve is mounted on the exterior or" tubing in doubled back or folded and laterally stretched or expanded condition. As the core is formed in the well bore, the rubber sleeve is pulled around the lower end of the tubing and upwardly into its interior to contract laterally around and embrance the core being produced.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apnaratus for doubling back or folding an elongate rubber `sleeve on itself, so that the sleeve consists of an outer layer surrounding an inner layer, and mounting such doubled back sleeve on the exterior of core barrel tubing in a laterally stretched or expanded condition, the normal or unrestrained diameter or the rubber sleeve being less than the inside dia. eter of the tubing.

A furti er object of the invention is to provide an imn proved apparatus for pulling a rubber or rubber-like sleeve over and along tubing, in which the normal or unrestrained diameter of the sleeve is substantially less than the outside diameter of the tubing. More specilically, he rubber sleeve has previously been doubled back. or folded on itself, and such folded sleeve is pulled or stretched coinparatively readily over tubing intended to form part of core barrel apparatus, the rubber sleeve also being an irnportant portion or" such apparatus.

ri`his invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form or method is described and shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. lt will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the inventon is best defined by the apl ended claims.

Referrinf to the drawings:

FlGURE l is a side elevational view of an apparatus embodying the invention;

llG. 2 is Va longitudinal section, parts being shown in side elevation, through a p rtion of the apparatus disclosed in FlG. l;

FlG. 3 is an end view ol the apparatus taken along the line 3-3 on PEG. l;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line -l on FIG. l;

FlG. 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the apparatus used in pulling the rubber sleeve on the core tube;

FIG. 6 is a section talren along the line 6 on 5;

FlG. 7 is a longitudinal section, partly in side elevation, illustrating the first step in doubling back or folding a rubber or rubber-like sleeve on itself;

PEG. 8 is a view similar to PEG. 7, illustrating a subsequent step in the doubling back or folding or the rubber sleeve on itself;

lblblb patented July 6, lta

Fl-G. 9 is a longitudinal section through a rubber sleeve it appears after the doubling back operation has been completed;

FlG. side elevation, of the folded sleeve being placed in position for mounting on the loading device ot the apparatus;

-3. ll is a view similar to FIG. l0, disclosing the folded sleeve expanded and prior to mounting on the loading device;

Fifi. l2 is a view similar to FIG. 1G of the rubber sleeve mounted on the loading device;

i3 .is a longitudinal section of the loading apparatus the commencement of pulling the doubled back or Vforced sleeve on the inner tube or barrel or" the ooring apparatus;

Fil-3. l-l is a longitudinal section, partly in side elevation and on an enlarged scale, of the double back rubber sleeve being pulled over the inner tubing of the core is a View of the folded rubber sleeverrnounted of Vhe core barrel;

i6 is a View similar to FlG. l5 showing the outer layer of the rubber sleeve moved back beyond the end `of the core barrel tubing to enable its foldinf7 upwardly within the tubing.

The drawings illustrate an apparatus that includes a device A for doubling bacl; or folding an elongate rubber sleeve S so that it then constitutes an inner layer lll integral with an outer layer ll. The apparatus also includes a loadinv device for forcibly mounting the folded rubber sleeve o lto an appropriate length or" tubing T, which has an outside diameter substantially less than the normal or unrestrained diameter of the rubber sleeve itself.

As illustrated, the apparatus includes a trarne or stand =Z having a set ot divergent rear legs i3 anda set of ivergent front legs the pair of rear legs being conected to an inverted Y tting l5, and the pair of front egs to an inverted lf-type of fitting le. Extending between the iittings l5, le and suitably secured thereto is an elongate horizontal tube l?.

Secured to lthe Y fitting l5 at the rear of the stand l2 is the inverter device A for doubling back the rubber sleeve S on itself, so to provide the inner and outer layers it?, 1l. This inverter includes a vertical support or base i3 threadedly or otherwise suitably secured to the upper portion of the Y iltting l5, this base being welded, or otherwise suitably secured, to a housing l@ having a rear enlarged portion 2) and a smaller diameter forward portion 2l terminating in a liange 22. The enlarged housing portion 2li has an end Wall 23 suitably welded thereto, provided with a transverse horizontal Vslot 24 therethrough of a size to receive the rubber :sleeve S when in a iiattened condition. Secured to the exterior of the end wall is a rubber or rubber-like seal disc 25 which is eld against the end Wall by a plate 26 attached thereto by a plurality of screws 27. This plate has a horizontal slot Ztl in alignment with the end wall slot 24, 4and the rubber seal disc 25 also has a horizontal slot 29 in alignment with the end wall `slot 24.

The operation of the inverter A in converting the elongate rubber sleeve S from its initial length to a doubled back condition, possessing the inner and outer plies lil, il, will be described hereinbelow.

The apparatus also includes the loading device B which is also carried by the stand or frame B of the apparatus. This loading device includes a winch 3@ that comprises a suitable housing 3l having end walls 32 and a shaft 33 extending therewithin and through the end walls. Secured to this shaft, as by means of a set screw 34, or the like, is a winding drum 35 on which a suitable length or wire cable El@ is wound. The cable extends a horizontal opening 37 in the housing between its end Walls l0 is a longitudinal section, parts being shown inV and its free end is adapted to be secured to a loading mechanism 38, later to be specilically described. The winch housing 31 is suitably secured, as by welding, to a vertical support or brace 39, which is, in turn, welded or otherwise suitably secured to the longitiudinal tube ll7 of the loading stand i2. The housing 31 is also as tached to a horizontally disposed outer body member dS, which is piloted within and is secured, as by welding, to a tubular body 41 having a forward threaded box (1:2 yadapted to receive the rear threaded pin portion of a support sleeve 4d on which the core barrel tubing T adapted to be mounted when the rubber sleeve S is to be pulled thereon, as later described. This tubular support sleeve 44 can be threaded into the box portion 42 of the body 41, or unthreaded therefrom, by placing a suitable rod or tool (not shown) in one of the radial holes the sleeve.

The body of the apparatus, including the outer body portion 4t), forms a portion of a mechanism for stretching the doubled over rubber sleeve S and for obtaining its mounting on the loading mechanism This stretching mechanism includes a central support rod 4d, the rear end of which is threaded into the outer body member dit, and having an air passage 47 communicating with air passage 48 in the outer body member that leads into a side port 49 in which an air valve Si) is threaded, so that an air line L (FIGS. 10-12) can be attached to the valve in order to force air under pressure into the passage 49, 48, 47.

Mounted on the rod 46 is a loading ballon Si, the ends of which are secured to Ithe rod. As shown, the rear 1o lo end of the rubber or rubber-like loading ballon 5l has an enlarged wall thickness 52 extending rearwardly of a rod flange 53, the thickened portion being disposed between the inner wall of the body 41 and the periphery ot the rod. The forward end of the loading balloon also has an inwardly directed flange portion 5d to provide a substantially greater wall thickness than the main length of the loading balloon, this llange being disposed forwardly of an external rod ange 55, the forward end of the loading balloon being prevented from removal from the rod by an encompassing holding cup 56 held in position on the rod by a suitable screw 57 threaded into the rod and engaging the end of the holding cup.

A lateral port 5S extends from the central air passage 47 of the rod to the interior of the loading balloon 5l between the llanges 53, 55, such that air under pressure can pass from .a suitable supply through the valve or titting 50 and into the air passages 49, ,3, d'7 and out through the port 5? to the interior of the loading balloon, to inflate the latter and cause a laterial stretching of substantial enlargement in diameter of the doubled over end of the rubber sleeve S, as hereinbelow explained.

When theloading balloon 5l is to be inilated in stretching the rubber sleeve, the support sleeve is Unthreaded from the body 4l and is removed completely therefrom, being placed to one side. The loading mechanism 33 is adapted to be slipped over the body member All, and preferably makes a sliding :it thereon. The loading mechanism includes a tubular. housing 59 having an external flange 6@ at its forward end and an enlarged housing portion 61 at its rear end provided with a lateral port 62 in which an air inlet litting 63 is secured, which is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of air pressure. The loading housing 59 is adapted to be slipped over the core `barrel tube T and sealed against the perip-hery of the latter by means of `an annular seal member or ring 64 secured to the loading flange by a holding ring 65 held in place by screws ed. When the housing is slipped over the tube T, the seal ring 6d will fold in an outward direction within the counterbore 67 of the housing 59, the inside diameter of the seal ring then being substantially equal to the external diameter of the tube T.

The loading mechanism 3S, when mounted on the body 4l, is adapted to be moved in a forward direction under the inflated or stretched doubled back portion of the rubber sleeve S. The mechanism is forced under the rub ber sleeve by means of a crank and connecting rod device actuated from the winch 3u. Thus, one or a plurality of crank discs 68 are secured to the winch shaft 33 externally of the housing 3l, each crank disc having a crank pin 69 thereon adapted to receive the end of a connecting rod or link f'i pivotally mounted on a hinge pin '7l secured to the loading housing 59. The rear portion of the link has a coupling slot "i2 to permit ready connection and disconnection of the link to its companion crank pin 69. When the links are connected to the crank pins, the loading device SS may be moved forwardly on the body d1 by applying turning effort or torque to one of the actuating arms 73 of the winch mechanism, which is slidably secured to a hub 7d fastened on the shaft 33. This same actuating mechanism is used in winding the cable 36 on the winding drum 35'. The forward end of the cable 36 is attached to a bracket '75, as through use of a screw 76, the bracket being welded to one of the links or connecting rods 7% pivoted to the loading housing 59.

ln the operation of the apparatus in folding back a rubber sleeve S on itself, and then mounting it in a laterally stretched condition on the core tubing T, a suitable length of the rubber sleeve, which may, for example, be about twenty feet in length, is first provided, and one of its ends is flattened and forced manually through the aligned slots 23, 29, in the plate 26, seal disc 25 and end wall 33, the rubber sleeve projecting forwardly from the inverter housing 19, and then being manually doubled back upon themselves so as to tit upon the smaller diameter portion 2l. of the housing, as shown in FIG. 7. When in this position it will be noted that the seal disc 25 seals against the exterior of the rubber sleeve, which, of course, is a ilattened condition in the region of the horizontal slots.

A loading sock N of a suitable length, which may be made of nylon, is then disposed over the doubled back end portieri of the rubber sleeve, the doubled back end of the sleeve then being clamped to this portion 21 by means of a clamp or strap C which may be of any suitable type, the flange of the housing preventing forward removal of the end portion of the sleeve S form the inverter housing 19. An air line L is then connected to an inverter fitting Sd and air under suitable pressure fed through the line into the inverter housing 19. Air is only permitted to enter the housing at a relatively slow rate, the air pressure forcing the rubber sleeve S in a forward direction within the nylon sock N and pulling it through the horizontal slots 28, 29, 24 (FIG. 8). During the pulling of the rubber sleeve through the slots, the outside of the rubber sleeve may have light engine oil applied thereto. Air is fed into the housing until the rubber sleeve has been almost completely doubled back upon itself and with a rear end E of the sleeve, of a short length, still extending from the end plate 26, as for example, one inch short of such plate. The air is then bled from the inside of the housing i9 and the sleeve S. The nylon sock N is then removed, the clamp C loosened, and the sleeve pulled off the smaller diameter portion 2l of the housing and its inner layer ll() pulled completely through the inverter, the sleeve then being in the condition illustrated in FIG. 9.

The loading mechanism 33 is then slipped over the body dl and its links itl connected to the winch crank pins 69, the folded end F of the sleeve S then being disposed over the loading balloon in the position disclosed in FdG. l0, in which the end of the sleeve is approximately hush with the end of the loading device SS. The air supply line L is then snapped on the air itting Si? and air under pressure allowed to ow through the passages 49, 43, 47, 55S into the interior of the loading balloon 5l, the balloon inllating and stretching the inner and outer plies lll', lll of rubber Outwardly until the diameter of the end portion F of the sleeve is approximately the same size as the tapered tip et) of the loading device, or slightly larger in diameter (FlG. 1l). The winch handles i3 are then turned so that the crank pins o9 force the links 70 and the loading device 3S in a forward direction, the loading device sliding forwardly on the body el and its flanged tip ed being forced between the rubber sleeve S and the loading balloon 5l until the entire forward portion of the housing 59 is disposed within the sleeve S, as shown in FIG. 12. To facilitate forcing of the loading device housing 59 between the loading balloon 51 and the rubber sleeve S, a small amount of lubricant might be first placed on the tapered flange tip eti. The air is then exhausted from the loading balloon :'1 which will then return inherently to its initial contracted condition. The hook portions 72 of the connecting rods itl are then detached from the crank pins o9 and the loading device then pulled in a forward direction completely off the body 41 of the apparatus.

The clamp C is then placed on the rubber sleeve S to clamp it securely to the loading housing 59, and the housing 59, wit the doubled back rubber sleeve S thereon, placed on to one side of the apparatus.

The support sleeve 44 is then mounted over the loading balloon 51 and is threaded into the box 42 of the body 41. The inner tubing or barrel T of the corina apparatus is then slipped over the support sleeve 44, as shown in FlGS. 13, and 14, and the cable 3o unwound from the winch drum 3e' until the loading device Sil is a little beyond the forward flanged end @il of the tubing remote from the support sleeve 44. A substantial quantity of lubricating oil, such as a pint, is then preferably poured inside of the loading device 33, flowing down inside the inner ply 19 of the rubber sleeve to assist in the pulling of the rubber sleeve over the tubing T. When this action has been accomplished, the loading flange 3b' is pushed over the forward end 9d of the inner tube T, and the handles 73 actuated to turn the winding drum 3S and pull on the cable 35, which will then pull the loading device 38 and the rubber sleeve S onto the tube T. The nylon loading sock N is then placed over the outside of the rubber sleeve S and pulled up as far as possible on the portion F of the rubber sleeve stretched over the end of the loading device 33 (FlG. i3). The air supply line L is then snapped onto the fitting 63 to feed air into the loading device 3b and also into the doubled over sleeve S. Preferably, the air is turned on in full volume. The rubber sleeve S is then pulled over the tubing T by turning the winch handles 75 and reeling in the cable Se, the air supply acting on the seal member 54 (which slidably seals against the tube T) and assisting in pushing the loading device 38 and the rubber sleeve S in a rearward direction along the tubing "l". The air is retained in the rubber sleeve S and the cable 36 reeled in until the inner layer itl of the rubber sleeve moves past the flange @il on the end of the tubing T. The air supply is now turned off, the nylon sock N removed, the clamp C loosened and the loading clamp 3d pulled out from underneath the rubber sleeve S, which is now mounted on the tubing T within the end E of its inner layer lb shouldering against the flange of the tubing, and with then end of the outer layer l1 disposed a short distance away from the tubing flange 9d (FlG. 15).

A suitable lubricant or grease is then forced between the inner and outer layers lil, ll of the sleeve S. A suitable tube (not shown) is forced between the layers lu, ll and a grease gun applied to the tube, forcing grease between the layers, the outer layer being suitably manipulated as by use of a sequeegee to effect distribution of the grease completely around and between the layers, and up to the return end F of the rubber sleeve. The lubricant is provided to eect a slight separation between the inner and outer layers lo, l1 so they will not adhere to one another. The outer layer itl cf rubber is then .ioved by hand along the inner layer lil until it is disposed longitudinally outwardly beyond the hanged end 9@ of the tubing, the extended projection beyond the end of the tubing T being, by way of example, about 3 inches (such as shown in FIG. 16).

rhe tubing T loaded with the folded over rubber sleeve S may now be assembled in the core barrel apparatus, as shown in the above-identified application, with the projecting end G of the outer layer l1 disposed within the tubing T and secured to parts within the tubing T.

We claim:

l. In apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve on a tubular member after the sleeve has been doubled back on itself: a tubular loading device; means for expanding the doubled end portion of the sleeve; means for forcing said loading device into the expanded doubled end portion of said sleeve; means for supporting the tubular member; means comprising a portion of said forcing means `for moving said device and sleeve mounted thereon over and along the tubular member to mount the sleeve onV the tubular member and means for feeding fluid under pressure through said device into the space between the tubular member and said device and the sleeve while said evice is being pulled along the .tubular member.

Z. ln apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve on a tubular member after the `sleeve has been doubled back on itself: a tubular loading device; means for expanding the doubled end portion of the sleeve; means for forcing said loading device into the expanded doubled end portion Iof said sleeve; means for supporting the tubular member; means comprising a portion of said forcing means for moving said device and sleeve mounted thereon over and along the tubular member to mount the sleeve on the tubular member; seal means. on said device for slidably sealing against the periphery of the tubular member; and means for feeding fluid under pressure through said device into the space between the tubular member `and said device :and the sleeve while said device is being pulled along the tubular member.

3. In apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve that yhas been doubled baclr'on itself on a tubular member: a supporting member; an inflatable balloon carried by said supporting member and over which the doubled end portion of the sleeve can be disposed; means for feeding duid under pressure into said balloon to inflate the same and expand said end portion of the sleeve; a tubular loading device on said supporting member; means for forcing said device over said balloon and into said expanded end portion in the sleeve to hold the end portion in expanded condition; means for supporting the tubular member; and means comprising a portion of said forcing means for moving said device and sleeve mounted thereon over and along the tubular member to mount the sleeve on the tubu- -lar member.

d. In apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve that has been doubled baclt` on itself on a tubular mem-be la supporting member; an iniiatable balloon carried by said supporting member and over which the doubled end port-ion of the sleeve can be disposed; means for feeding uid under pressure into said balloon to inflate the same and expand said end portion of the sleeve; a tubular loading device on said .supporting member; means for forcing said device over said balloon and into said expanded end portion in the sleeve to hold the end portion in expanded condition; means on said supporting member for supporting the tubular member; a winding drum; a cable on said drum and attached to the device; and means comprising a portion of said forcing means for rotating said drum to wind the cable thereon and pull said device and sleeve mounted thereon over and along the tubular member to mount the sleeve on the tubular member.

5. ln apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve that has been doubled back on itself `on a tubular member: a supporting member; an iniat-able balloon carried by enaaeie said supporting member and over which the doubled end port-ion of the sleeve can be disposed; means for feeding fluid under pressure into said balloon to inflate the same and expand said end portion of the sleeve; a tubular loading device on said supporting member; a crank mechanism; link means connecting said `mechanism to said loading device, whereby turning of said mechanism forces said device over said balloon and into said expanded end portion of the sleeve to hold the end portion in expanded condition; means for supporting the tubular member; and means comprising a portion of said crank mechanism for moving said device and sleeve mounted thereon over and along the tubular member to mount the sleeve on the tubular member.

6. In apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve that has been doubled back on itself on a tubular member: a supporting member; an iniiatable balloon carried by said supporting member and over which the doubled end portion of the sleeve can be disposed; means for feeding fluid under pressure into said balloon to inflate the same and expand said end portion of the sleeve; a tubular loading device on said supporting member; a crank mechanism; link means connecting said mechanism to said loading device, whereby turning of said mechanism forces said device over said balloon and into said expanded end portion .of the sleeve to hold the end portion in expanded condition; means for supporting the tubular member; a winding drum; a cable on said drum and attached to the device; and means comprising a portion of said crank mechanism for rotating said drum to wind the cable thereon and pull said device and sleeve mounted thereon over and along the tubular member to mount the sleeve on the tubular member.

7. In apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve that has been doubled back on itself on a tubular member: a supporting member; an inflatable balloon carried b f said supporting member and over which the doubled end portion of the sleeve can be disposed; means for feeding fluid under pressure `into said balloon to inate the same and expand said end portion of the sleeve; a tubular loading device on said supporting member; winding means; crank means on said winding means; link means connecting said crank means to said loading device, whereby turning of said winding means forces said device over said balloon and into said expanded end portion of the sleeve to hold the end portion in expanded condition; means for supporting the tubular member; a cable on said winding .means and attached to the device; and means for rotating said winding means to wind the cable thereon and pull said device and sleeve mounted thereon over and along the tubular member to mount the sleeve on the tubular member.

8. In apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve on a tubular member after the sleeve has been doubled back on itself: a tubular loading device; duid pressure operated means for expanding the doubled end portion of the sleeve; means for feeding fiuid under pressure to said iluid pressure operated means; Vmeans for forcing said -loading device into the expanded doubled end portion of lsaid sleeve; means for supporting the tubular member; and `means comprising a portion of said forcing means for moving said device and sleeve mounted thereon over and along the tubular member to mount the sleeve on the tubular member.

9. ln apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve on a tubular member after the sleeve has been doubied back on itself: a tubular loading device; iiuid pressure operated means for expanding the doubled end portion of the sleeve; means for feeding fluid under pressure to said fluid pressure operated means; means for forcing said loading device into the expanded doubled end portion of said sleeve; means for supporting the tubular member; means comprising a portion `of said forcing means for moving said device and sleeve mounted thereon over and along the tubular member to mount the sleeve on the tubular member; and means for feeding iiuid under pressure through said device into the space between the tubular member and said device and the sleeve while said device is being pulled along the tubular member.

.in apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve that been doubled back on itself on a tubular memer: a supporting member; an inflatable balioon carried by said supporting member and over which the doubled end portion of the sleeve can be disposed; means for feeding duid under pressure into said balloon to inflate the same and expand said end portion of the sleeve; a tubular loading device on said Supporting member; means for forcing said device over said balloon and into said expanded end portion of the sleeve to hold the end portion in expanded condition; means on said supporting member for supporting the tubular member; and means comprising a portion of said forcing means for moving said device and sieeve mounted thereon over and along the tubular member to mount the sleeve on the tubular member.

ift. In apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve that has been doubled back on itself on a tubular member: a supporting member; an inatable balloon carried by said supporting member and over which the doubled end portion of the sleeve can be disposed; means for feeding fiuid under pressure into said balloon to intiate the same and expand said end portion of the sleeve; a tubular loading device on said supporting member; a crank mechanism; link means connecting said mechanism to said loading device, whereby turning of said mechanism forces said device over said balloon and into said expanded end portion of the sleeve to hold the end portion in expanded condition; means on said supporting member for supporting the tubular member; and means comprising a portion of said crank mechanism for moving said device and sleeve mounted thereon over and along the tubular member to mount the sleeve on the tubular member.

f2. in apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve that has been doubled back on itself on a tubular member: a supporting member; an inflatable balloon carried by said supporting member and over which the doubled end portion of the sleeve can be disposed; means for feeding fluid under pressure into said balloon to inlate the same and expand said end portion of the sleeve; a tubular loading device on said supporting member; a crank mechanism; link means connecting said mechanism to said loading device, whereby turning of said mechanism forces said device over said balloon and into said expanded end portion of the sleeve to hold the end portion in expanded condition; means on said supporting member for supporting the tubular member; a winding drum; a cable on said drum and attached to the device; and means comprising a portion of said crank mechanism for rotating said drum to wind the cable thereon and pull said device and sleeve mounted thereon over and along the tubula member to mount the sleeve on the tubular member.

i3. In apparatus for mounting a pliant, elastic sleeve that has been doubled back on itself on a tubular member: a supporting member; an inflatable balloon carried by said supporting member and over which the doubled end portion of the sleeve can be disposed; means for feeding huid under pressure into said balloon to iniiate the same and expand said end portion of the sleeve; a tubular loading device on said supporting member; winding means; crank means on said winding means; link means connecting said crank means to said loading device, whereby turning of said winding means forces said device over said balloon and into said expanded end portion or" the sleeve to hold the end portion in expanded condition;kmeans on said supporting member for supporting the tubular member; a cable on said winding means and attached to the device; and means for rotating said winding means to wind the cable thereon and pull saiddevice and sleeve mounted thereon over and along the tubular member to mount the sleeve on the tubular member.

14. ln apparatus for expanding a pliant, elastic sleeve and for holding the sleeve in expanded condition: a tubular loading device; uid pressure operated expandible means adapted to be disposed Within the end portion of the sleeve to expand such end portion; means for feeding Enid under pressure to said iiuid pressure operated expandible means to canse said luid pressure operated expandible means to expand the end portion of the sleeve; and means for forcing said loading device along said uid pressure operated expanddible means and into the expanded end portion of the sleeve while said yfluid pressure operated means is subject to fluid under pressure.

15. In apparatus for expanding a pliant, elastic sleeve and for holding the sleeve in expanded condition: a supporting member; an inflatable balloon carried by said snpporting member and over which the end portion of tbe sleeve can be disposed; means for feeding iluid under pressure into said balloon to inate the same and expand said end portion of the sleeve; a tubular loading device on said supporting member; and means for forcing said device over said balloon and into said expanded end portion of the sleeve to hold the end portion in expanded condition.

15. 1n apparatus for expanding a pliant, elastic sleeve and for holding the sleeve in expanded condition: a supporting member; an inatable balloon carried by said supporting member and over which the end portion of the sleeeve can be disposed; means for feeding uid under pressure into said balloon to inflate the same and expand said end portion of the sleeve; a tubular loading device on said supporting member; a crank mechanism; and linl; means connecting said mechanism to said loading device, whereby turning of said mechanism orces said device over said balloon and into said expanded end portion of the sleeve to hold the end portion in expanded condition.

reerenees Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS V Merritt 29-235 X 894,221 7/08 1,407,163 2/22 Ny. 2,359,532 10/44 Searle 29-234 2,426,401 8/ 47 Mack 29-234 2,450,727 10/48 Haushalter. 2,498,357 2/50 Breisch 29-1482 2,632,239 3/53 Taylor 29-235 2,863,056 8/57 Brissey et al 29-450 2,830,361 4/58 Bruner 29-235 2,914,345 12/59 Crtes 29-450 2,962,803 1.2/60 Jones 29--234 X FOREIGN PATENTS 758,830 11/33 France.

177,167 3/ 22 Great Britain.

184,638 8/22 Great Britain.

WHTMORE A. WILTZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A PLIANT, ELASTIC SLEEVE ON A TUBULAR MEMBER AFTER THE SLEEVE HAS BEEN DOUBLED BACK ON ITSELF: A TUBULAR LOADING DEVICE; MEANS FOR EXPANDING THE DOUBLED END PORTION OF THE SLEEVE; MEANS FOR FORCING SAID LOADING DEVICE INTO THE EXPANDED DOUBLED END PORTION OF SAID SLEEVE; MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE TUBULAR MEMBER; MEANS COMPRISING A PORTION OF SAID FORCING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID DEVICE AND SLEEVE MOUNTED THEREON OVER AND ALONG THE TUBULAR MEMBER TO MOUNT THE SLEEVE ON THE TUBULAR MEMBER AND MEANS FOR FEEDING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE THROUGH SAID DEVICE INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN THE TUBULAR MEMBER AND SAID DEVICE AND THE SLEEVE WHILE SAID DEVICE IS BEING PULLED ALONG THE TUBULAR MEMBER. 